Best Toothpaste for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are durable, but they are not totally indestructible. Trauma, teeth grinding, and even certain ingredients in toothpaste can wear them down or soften the material more than others. If you use the wrong kind of toothpaste when you have veneers or dental crowns, you can inadvertently take years off the life of your dental work. That’s why San Antonio, TX dentists Dr. Joseph Perry and Dr. Thomas C. Shields offer lots of aftercare advice when it comes to porcelain veneers.
The team at River City Dental Solutions would like to consider the right and wrong kinds of toothpastes to use after you’ve received porcelain veneers. Following this advice can prolong the benefits of your cosmetic dentistry treatment for years.
What Kinds of Toothpastes Should I Avoid?
We tell patients to avoid the following kinds of toothpastes:
- Toothpastes with Abrasive Ingredients - This includes ingredients such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), calcium carbonate, dehydrated silica gels, and hydrated aluminum oxides.
- Toothpastes with Whitening Chemicals - This includes ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
What’s Wrong with Abrasive and Whitening Toothpastes?
There are a few things wrong with abrasive toothpastes and whitening toothpastes. Let’s go into the problems with these types of ingredients.
- The Problem with Abrasive Ingredients - Abrasive ingredients will act like little bits of sandpaper against the veneers. Over time, this can wear away the veneer material, sanding away years from their lifespan.
- The Problem with Whitening Ingredients - Whitening ingredients in toothpastes can soften the veneer material while brushing your teeth. This weakens the veneers and makes them susceptible to wearing away.
What’s the Ideal Toothpaste If I Have Veneers or Crowns?
Ideally, the best toothpaste for people with porcelain veneers or dental crowns is a non-abrasive gel. Non-abrasive gel toothpastes contain no particulate matter and no whitening ingredients, meaning they won’t wear down the veneers. Sometimes these toothpastes state explicitly that they are for people with crowns and veneers. We can offer some specific recommendations at our San Antonio practice during the consultation process.
What About My Toothbrush?
Glad you asked. Yes, your toothbrush can make a difference too.
If you have a toothbrush with stiff or hard bristles, they can do immense damage to your veneers over time, as well as your teeth and the gumline.
The ideal toothbrush to use is one with soft bristles and a small head. The soft bristles allow for gentle cleaning of the teeth while the small head makes sure that all the hard-to-reach parts of your mouth can be cleaned thoroughly.
How Often Should I Brush and Floss with Porcelain Veneers?
You should ideally brush and floss after every meal. However, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is the bare minimum for good oral health and proper hygiene.
How Long Will My Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers will last for about 10 years, though they could last a bit longer with proper care. Once you’re ready for new veneers, you can stop by our San Antonio for replacements.
How Can I Learn More About Porcelain Veneers?
For more information about porcelain veneers and how they can benefit you, be sure to contact our skilled team of cosmetic and restorative dentists. The team at River City Dental Solutions is here to help. You can reach us by phone at (210) 349-3745.
